BoA Quits K-Pop Star Talent Show, New Lineup Revealed

Yoo Hee Yeol in, BoA out. Accomplished musician Yoo will be replacing the songstress on the judging panel for the third season of SBS’ survival audition program, K-Pop Star. A rep for BoA, 26, says she is stepping down to “focus on her music career”.

Speaking at an October 8 press conference in Seoul, 42-year-old Yoo apologised for taking the idol’s place on the panel. “When I appeared, all the reporters had this ‘What the hell’ expression on their faces,” he joked. “It should have been G-Dragon or Rain. I’m sorry.”

YG Entertainment boss and show judge Yang Hyun Suk added: “When I first met BoA through the program, I was excited. I feel the same excitement now. I’m personally a fan [of Yoo], and I think season three is going to be really interesting.”

JYP Entertainment CEO Park Jin Young also remains on the panel for K-Pop Star 3. Park briefly spoke about his wedding later this month, admitting that he’s hoping to keep it private.